Mount Sinai was enveloped in smoke, and the entire mountain quaked. I am thinking only the mountain quaked as the Bible says. Did the land quake too?

Then as the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. Could this be in an audible voice? Did everyone hear God´s voice, or just Moses?

Imagine witnessing these events of thunder, smoke, trumpet sounds, and earthquakes. The Bible does not mention if this lasted minutes or hours, nevertheless, it must have been something to behold. When we read this, there is no room for doubt it was the finger of God that wrote the Ten Commandments. Who could deny it?

The entire populations witnessed this, and as Moses climbed the mountain, after some time, the people below began making an idol out of gold.

It seems they forgot the display of power rendered by God.

I have been practicing gratitude in my journal writing. While we may not have the thunder, smoke and trumpet sound today, writing out what I am thankful for does something inside of me.

It reminds me of everything God has accomplished in my life. I am reminded how He has answered my prayers, protected me, and shows up at the last minute. I know it´s God when at the eleventh hour, a financial need is met.

He does not answer by way of a long and loud trumpet sound, but I see it in the simple things. There is no smoke around the mountain where I live, but His protection is with me.

Gratitude keeps me aligned with God, tuned it, and so very thankful.

For some reason, saying why I am thankful to God makes me feel safe and loved by him.

last month I was invited to give a workshop on spiritual warfare at the ICAP Conference in Green Lake, Wisconsin. When asked to participate, I immediately said no out of fear and feeling unqualified. It was suggested that I should pray and seek the Lord for His answer, (not mine) which I did and received a yes.

After receiving a yes, I knew I had to prepare as I would be amongst experts in the field of rescue and recovery of those in the sex trade industry, and my topic would be something new for many.

While at the conference, I learned so many things.

Most women in this field are not there by choice. Many have suffered abuse at a very young age, are trafficked and suffer trauma, and PTSD.

I was pleasantly surprised to see people from all around the globe involved in this type of ministry. Some have a calling, others have been rescued and are now rescuing others.

Seeing and hearing these testimonies have brought me much encouragement. God is at work, and yes, there are many success stories.

Being amongst these survivors and hearing their stories has brought a new faith and hope in me. I feel as though I received a huge vitamin shot. God is everywhere; at work in the brothels, strip clubs, rescuing those in need. When I think of my own needs, they seem insignificant compared to what these women and men (yes, young boys are trafficked) go through, and because Christ sets them free, they are strong and enduring to the end.

It´s funny how God works. I went there to serve and to bless in what I can give, but I was the one that came out blessed and with a renewed hope and faith in God.

The theme for the conference was Isaiah 62:3 You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God.

After spending just a few days with these precious people, they truly are a crown of glory in His hand and the love was palpable. They choose to be molded and shaped by the master potter and continue to be used by Him for His glory.

Not long ago I attended a women’s meeting. My friend and founder of the Rahab Foundation was the speaker.

Previously she was a consultant developing environmental impact studies for mining projects. When she accepted the Lord, He called her to love the prostitutes. She was incredulous as a new believer. She did not understand what was going on, much less why God would choose her.

During her prayer times with the Lord, she kept seeing the word Prostitution flashing before her eyes. She began to feel a love for them, and it was not long after she quit her consulting work and embraced her calling in faith.

It was a slow and difficult start. Today it is a thriving ministry.

What steps do we take when a new challenge or opportunity comes our way?

Faith

Romans 12:3 says we have all been given a measure of faith.

What is faith and what does it mean to you? Below are a few definitions:

Faith is complete trust or confidence.

Faith moves the heart of God.

Faith is an assurance in the heart, it gives peace.

Faith causes God to move on your behalf.

Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction what God says is true and what He says will come to pass.

Faith is a knowing God has equipped you, not that He might. He has, past tense.

Faith is the opposite of fear.

My friend would spend quiet times with the Lord, and it is there where she received her training and instructions in the ministry.

She did not believe in herself but in God´s ability to work through her. That is key. She surrendered all to Him, and He came through.

Our Lord never fails.

She began with something small with joy and gladness and the Lord grew it. In being faithful with the little the Lord gives us, we begin to receive larger things.

Often times when we work for the Lord we desire the big things immediately, but it doesn´t work that way. We need to start small and work our way up and do our best. The Lord is responsible for our increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 – I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

When we do our part, the increase will automatically come.

What does our part mean?

Recognize an opportunity when you see it and take it by faith. By doing so, you will discover your strengths and weaknesses, and you will improve by doing.

I remember the day 9/11 happened. I was working at a call center at the time. All of us were glued to our computer monitors watching the news. There was silence everywhere, in shock at what had just occurred.

Pittier, Costa Rica

I could not imagine losing a loved one that tragic day. Lives were lost. Families forever changed.

Pain.

Agony.

Suffering.

Death, it comes in many forms. Not long ago my adult son mourned the loss of his friend to suicide. A precious life lost and a family forever changed.

There is another type of death we need to consider.

Spiritual Death

The word says that Jesus came to give life abundantly, and He died so that we may have eternal life.

1 John 5:11 The testimony is this, God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son.

Last week I had the privilege to join my pastor and a few others spreading the message of hope to an area of Costa Rica that has a high suicide rate and the development index is the third lowest in the country.

When our group of 12 arrived, we were challenged and stretched in many ways.

These beloved people live day-to-day as farmers, coffee pickers, maids, gardeners and so forth. Work is scarce, and it was a privilege to be able to pray, share uplifting messages and bring hope.

Typical farmers home

We also distributed Bibles to the homes in the community. We had testimonies of conversions to Christ, we prayed for families, and had an overall sense of gratitude with the people. Even drug addicts received us with open arms.

I am thankful I live in a country where I can share my faith freely without reprisals.

Bible distribution

I learned I can witness door to door and share the message of Christ and get excited about it.

I would not want my worst enemy to die without knowing Jesus. We are living on this earth for a short time, and what matters most is where we spend eternity.

We never know when death may visit. Not long ago, my husband´s friend died as he was hit by a vehicle. The day before they spoke on the phone, and the next moment he was gone.

If you are unsure of where you will go when you pass this earth, I encourage you to accept Christ as your friend and into your life, follow Him and live an abundant life.

When you accept Christ, the day you die your name will be called and it will be found written in the in the Lamb´s book of life, and your entrance to heaven will be secure.

In a recent ministry session, I was praying for a business owner. His business was not performing well, and this man felt as though he was failing as a provider for his family.

In the session, it was revealed there were demons inside and outside of his place of business causing havoc.

He would give his potential clients the address, and for some odd reason, these clients had trouble locating his business. They simply could not find it.

Demons are very clever at hiding a place of business or church by cloaking it, to make it invisible so it cannot be found. They even had his business sign cloaked.

As there were very little clients, this was causing stress on his marriage, and he was not providing as he would have liked for his family.

When one receives any type of ministry, I have found the place of business, church, and home are often overlooked. These places also need to be cleansed, inside and out.

The demons outside and inside the place of business for my client were whispering lies to the potential clients to not make any purchases .

In the session, the demons were removed and I have faith that his sales will increase.

Removing demons is very simple. I simply asked the Angels of the Lord to remove the demons inside and outside of the building and to escort them to the Throne of God for His righteous judgment.

Saying the prayer this way, we allow the Lord to judge the demons, and not us. I like that much better.

The enemy has a very short job description.

Steal, kill and destroy.

By hindering clients in the business, they were trying to steal his income,which in turn would cause stress on the marriage. These guys were doing a pretty good job in fulfilling their job description.

The enemy was found stealing, and he has to restore seven fold everything stolen from my client.

The best part of this session, my client’s business will improve, he will be able to provide for his family as he would like, and his marriage will be back on track.

Jesus receives all the glory.

Have you overlooked your home, church or place of business while in prayer? If so, it’s not too late to ask the Lord to cleanse it.